id:			129854
accession number:	1952.280
share license status:	CC0
url:			https://clevelandart.org/art/1952.280
updated:		2023-03-09 12:47:47.104000

Historiated Initial (E) Excised from a Gradual: Adoration of the Magi, c. 1200–1240. Italy, Siena, 13th century. Ink, tempera, and gold on parchment; sheet: 17 x 21 cm (6 11/16 x 8 1/4 in.). The Cleveland Museum of Art, Purchase from the J. H. Wade Fund 1952.280

title:				Historiated Initial (E) Excised from a Gradual: Adoration of the Magi
title in original language:	
series:				
series in original language:	
creation date:			c. 1200–1240
creation date earliest:		1200
creation date latest:		1240
current location:		
creditline:			Purchase from the J. H. Wade Fund
copyright:			

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culture:	Italy, Siena, 13th century
technique:	ink, tempera, and gold on parchment
department:	Medieval Art
collection:	MED - Manuscript Illuminations
type:		Manuscript
find spot:	
catalogue raisonne: 

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CREATORS

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measurements: Sheet: 17 x 21 cm (6 11/16 x 8 1/4 in.)
state of the work:	
edition of the work: 	

support materials:


inscriptions:

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CURRENT EXHIBITIONS

	title:		The Decorated Letter and the Illuminator's Art
	opening date:   1993-09-25T04:00:00
	<i>The Decorated Letter and the Illuminator's Art</i>. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (September 25-December 19, 1993).

	title:		Prince Salim's Life of Christ (Manuscript Rotation) - Gallery 115
	opening date:   2019-12-02T05:00:00
	<i>Prince Salim's Life of Christ (Manuscript Rotation) - Gallery 115</i>. The Cleveland Museum of Art (organizer) (December 2, 2019-July 1, 2020).

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LEGACY EXHIBITIONS

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PROVENANCE

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fun fact:
X-ray fluorescence analysis is a nondestructive technique used to determine the elemental composition of materials. On this leaf it revealed that the dark blue pigment contains azurite.

digital description:


wall description:
All the essential narrative elements—Mary, the infant Jesus, and the three Magi—are tucked into the lower body of the initial E. Although the initial is now separated from its original context in a gradual, or choir book, it would have marked the beginning of a new chant. In this case it is for the feast of Epiphany (January 6), which celebrates the arrival of the Magi in Bethlehem to see the newborn Christ. The Introit for that Mass begins: Ecce advenit dominator Dominus. . . . (Behold the lord the ruler is come. . . .).
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RELATED WORKS

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CITATIONS

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IMAGES

web:	https://openaccess-cdn.clevelandart.org/1952.280/1952.280_web.jpg
print:	https://openaccess-cdn.clevelandart.org/1952.280/1952.280_print.jpg
full:	https://openaccess-cdn.clevelandart.org/1952.280/1952.280_full.tif